The Department of the Interior and Local Government has expressed its gratitude to Negros Oriental incumbent Governor Pryde Henry Teves for his decision to step down and heed the order of the Commission of Elections to give way to Roel Degamo who was recently proclaimed as the official winner of the gubernatorial post in the province.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said that he is hoping that the delivery of local government services for the people of Negros Oriental would no longer be disrupted as the squabble on the province’s governorship between Teves and Degamo peacefully ended on Tuesday afternoon.
“We are thankful that the governorship dispute in Negros Oriental has been resolved, with Teves respecting and adhering to the Comelec ruling proclaiming Degamo as the duly elected governor of the province,” Abalos said.
The DILG chief also thanked DILG Central Visayas director Leocadio Trovela and DILG Negros Oriental director Farah Gentuya for their role in the negotiations and for ensuring a smooth transition of power.
“We appeal to the supporters of both Degamo and Teves to set aside politics and to work in unison for the benefit and welfare of all Negrenses,” Abalos said.
To recall, the Comelec proclaimed Degamo in September as the duly elected Negros Oriental governor after it declared another candidate Ruel Degamo as a nuisance, which resulted in the transfer of Ruel’s votes to Roel Degamo.
A final recount showed that the original Degamo got 331,726 votes over Teves’ 301,319 votes.
The Supreme Court said Tuesday there is no action yet on Teves’ petition for a temporary restraining order against the Comelec’s move.
Teves left the Capitol before 5 p.m. on Tuesday after speaking to his supporters.